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Wine lovers pray for drought to continue

Posted at 7:34 AM, Aug 20, 2012
and last updated 2012-08-20 07:34:53-04

By: Athena Jones

(CNN) – Listen up wine lovers…the industry is actually benefiting from the dry conditions seen across the country right now. Months with little or no rain and hot temperatures mean struggling corn and soy crops across the US.

But one crop could benefit from the drought, the wine industry. While California grows most US wine, there are vineyards in all 50 states.

Particularly in the Midwest, the hardest hit areas in terms of the drought, there are folks that are thinking that the grapes are going to be a better quality this year, because the berries are smaller and the sugar is more concentrated.

Too much rain can dilute the flavor and lead to problems with mildew and disease.
There is a downside however to hot, dry conditions. Potential long term damage to young vines and smaller harvest.

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